Resort comparison · 2026/27
Les Arcs vs La Plagne: which suits your ski trip?
A side-by-side comparison on the things that change a ski week: altitude, how much terrain and of what difficulty, what the lift pass costs and how far each is from the airport.
| Les Arcs | La Plagne | |
|---|---|---|
| Ski area | Les Arcs | La Plagne |
| Top / base altitude | 3,214 m / 1,199 m | 3,058 m / 1,217 m |
| Vertical drop | 2,015 m | 1,841 m |
| Mapped pistes | 170 km | 188 km |
| Lifts | 48 | 74 |
| Green & blue runs | 57% | 63% |
| Black & harder | 13% | 15% |
| Six-day adult pass | – | €370 (≈ €62/day) |
| Nearest airport transfer | Chambéry, 143 km (2 h), from €423 | Geneva, 197 km (2 h 20 min), from €352 |
Ski-area figures are OpenSkiMap mapped data (OpenStreetMap contributors, 1 October 2026) for the whole linked area each village belongs to. Pass prices from official 2026/27 tariffs; transfers from partner route pages.
France
Choose Les Arcs for…
- higher skiing (top 3,214 m) for snow-sure early and late season
- a shorter transfer (143 km from Chambéry)
France
Choose La Plagne for…
- more beginner-friendly runs (63% green and blue)
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
La Plagne: about 188 km of mapped pistes and 74 lifts in La Plagne, against 170 km and 48 lifts in Les Arcs.
Which is higher, Les Arcs or La Plagne?
Les Arcs reaches 3,214 m (base 1,199 m); La Plagne reaches 3,058 m (base 1,217 m). Higher resorts usually hold snow better early and late in the season.
Which is easier to get to?
Les Arcs: Chambéry, 143 km (2 h), from €423. La Plagne: Geneva, 197 km (2 h 20 min), from €352.
Transfer links are affiliate links: you book with the partner and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Methodology.